test drive meme #16

[hadrielmods]

Welcome to Hadriel's test drive, and thank you again for your interest in the game! As always, our reserves page is here, and our applications page is here! Reserves open January 24th, and apps are open February 1st. Please remember that there is an app cap of 20 apps.

Two quick points here as well:

1. Any thread made in Hadriel's test drive will be accepted as the sole Action Log sample in the application.
2. All threads made in the test drive can be considered game canon, either through handwaving or through a shared mental experience while coming through the Door!

Test drives will be broken up into specific god mini-events, during which your characters can see how well they fare under the watchful eye of one of the gods. Choose wisely or just simply pick 'em all, and have fun!

F E A R

SCENARIO ONE: THE CREEPY CRAWLIES
[The Door brings in all that is chaotic and evil in the world. This may include you, may include the person next to you... and may include the monster behind you.

Watch out as you explore the streets of Hadriel, because you're not alone, and there's always something lurking in the shadows, waiting to impale you on its giant claws and crunch your bones between its mandibles. That's right, this time the Door is bringing you bugs from Starship Troopers, in all their giant and disgusting glory!

Bugs are, well, giant insects that come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the rank, and are way too tall or too heavy than they have any right to be. They can move quickly, most of them have the ability to fly, and their exo-skeletons means that it's difficult to really hurt them unless you've got some muscles on you. Or a really big boot, I guess.]

C O N F U S I O N

SCENARIO TWO: WHO'S THAT IN THE MIRROR?
[Something's lurking in the dark. Something that really wants to ruin your day by any means necessary- that includes preying on your darkest fears, or just, you know, simply killing you. But that's not a problem, right? You're big and tough! Except, so is this creature out to get you. And it knows all of your weaknesses and insecurities too because, well... it is you.

Doubles of characters will be flooding the city and attempting to ruin the originals lives by whatever means necessary. This generally involves killing the original and then impersonating them, but it can also mean killing people you love or just bringing up your awkward teenage years to traumatize you in front of all your new cool friends.

What can you do to stop it? Well, you could kill them first, that certainly won't require a few trips to therapy later! There's always locking them away, or maybe trying to befriend them because hey, who's better at ruining your life than you?

This is a mini version of our Dead Ringers event this month!]

T R A N Q U I L I T Y

SCENARIO THREE: CAN YOU JUST LIKE, CHILL FOR A SEC?
[Embrace tranquility! Or rather, get pulled, kicking and screaming into an event during which you magically have to find some chill, or else Tranquility will force chill upon you.

For this prompt, characters will find themselves in a state of sudden peace and calm, without much anger or meanness to go around. That guy you hate? Maybe you should give him a peace offering. The chick who stole your girlfriend? Maybe you should congratulate her! Everything is peaceful and everything is... sorta gray.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be able to relax, but we have an emotional spectrum for a reason. Pretty soon, the tranquility of this might turn into something a little creepy, even Stepfordish... but it's hard to really care when everything is so damn pleasant, right?]

Comments

Ignis Scientia | Final Fantasy XV

[joyofcooking]

scenario one;

That's it!

[ignis calls this out to absolutely no one as he pulls a lance out of a giant dead bug and then pulls a notebook from his pocket. he can absolutely hear the approaching footsteps of more of them but give him a second while he scribbles down something into the notebook, furiously writing away until the very last second possible --

and then he turns, jumps, and sticks his lance right between the eyes of another one. the lance phases out of existence and daggers appear in his hands, and he delivers a flurry of blows to this next creature looking to be killed.]

Is that all you've got?

scenario three

[ignis is holding a coffee cup that is very much empty, the contents of it spilled all over the floor and indeed on his clothes as well. but he looks...surprisingly not upset about this experience. instead, he sets the coffee mug down on the counter and proceeds to refill it with tea.]

Ah, well, it was just coffee.

[this is some outrageous behavior, honestly]

3

[manspreading]

[ You know they say there's no use crying over spilled milk but spilled coffee and Ignis together should at the very least end in a curse to the Six. Gladio doesn't know whether he should be impressed or supremely terrified.

Actually, it's a little hard to be terrified right now, but there's just enough surprise in Gladiolus for it to get through. ]

Iggy, you feeling okay?

rosa rivera. original.

[inkbled]

( one | if nothing comes easy as long as we're breathing | fear )
( There's a certain logic to the world. Wake up, make sure your siblings eat breakfast and go to school, that grandma has the right pair of glasses because she's lost them again, avoid a kidnapping attempt, get to your workshop class. It changes around - sometimes you've gotta help your aunt clean, sometimes there's no kidnap attempt - but it's always a rush, always set to leave you breathless.

Welcome to the life and times of Rosa Rivera, whose day-to-day definitely doesn't include waking up next to a Bombadier Bug. Or, really, anything to do with ending up in a strange, underground city.

(But then, how many people can say that is their day-to-day?) )

Ew! Ewewewew. Gross!

( Scrambling away and whining in a high-pitched voice? Might, just maybe, be a sign that this girl isn't exactly carrying anything that's going to prove useful in getting her out of the Colosseum alone. )

( two | hit the ground running, leave 'em in the dust. only run with those we can trust | confusion )
( Look, she's a teenager. Looking at herself? Not an unusual thing. Spending hours in the mirror, analysing the progression of a new pimple or taking selfies when she's feeling herself? These are things Rosa knows pretty well.

Looking at herself, a fully-formed, autonomous human being?

Not something she knows as well.

Their voices echo together, young and concerned about all the real things. )

Is that, like, really what my hair looks like now? Ughhh, that's so sad! I miss my straighteners. Total nightma~re!

( One of these girls furrows her brow. The other grins, bright and amused. )

Well! I guess it's, like, time for me to go play! You think someone can take me to the caves?

( The one that smiles bounds off - practically skipping - without waiting for an answer, ready to grab a nearby sucker person and take them on a fun adventure in the caves.

If said person dies in the process, well. Oops. At least she's safe. )

( three | 'cause if it's fast or slow all i really know is i'm gonna enjoy the ride | tranquility )
( So, maybe this place isn't so bad. It's kinda relaxing. Sorta like that spaced out feeling you get when you're warm and cozy, wrapped up in blankets and not quite tired enough to actually fall asleep. Just dozing.

Rosa plucks a can of spam from the shelves of a store and nods to herself. )

Good. This'll do just fine.

( Rosa, please. You've never thought plain, tinned spam was fine. )

confusion

[livandletdie]

[Liv is just so glad to see Rosa right now that she doesn't even question whether or not it's really Rosa. She's just narrowly escaped death by a full-on zombie moded version of herself. As far as she knows, the only person with an evil double is one undead lady named Olivia Moore.

So of course she's going to go with Rosa into the caves.]

Even though they're full of monsters. The monsters will probably kill her if she comes after us.

[And if they try to attack her and Rosa, then there's always Romero mode to fall back on.]

God I'm so glad you're okay. She said she was going to kill you.

Gladiolus Amicitia | FFXV

[manspreading]

FEAR:

[ Bugs have never been Gladio's favorite enemy, but honestly? It beats fighting daemons. It may seem somewhat strange, a man in a leather jacket (where is his shirt?) hefting a shield in his hand to try and knock the beasts away, but Gladiolus is clearly in his element, smiling as he smashes a particularly small arachnid under his heel. ]

Come on, I'm not even breaking a sweat here.

[ Suddenly, as if from thin air, a giant sword appears in his hands, its length easily as long as he is tall. He spins it around with little effort, crushing several bugs until only a handful of large ones remain. Maybe he could use some help? Nah, not likely. He seems to be doing just fine. ]

You guys wanna go?

CONFUSION:

[ A double of Gladiolus is a dangerous thing indeed. He knows every one of Gladio's moves and weaknesses, and while Gladio would argue that he doesn't have all that many, his doppelganger sure seems to disagree. The two of them stand face to face, just short of going at each other's throats as hazel eyes meet hazel. ]

You abandoned your friends when they needed you. Just admit it! Being Noct's shield -- you never had a choice, that's why you ran away-- [ Hard to tell which one of them strikes first, but there's punches flying left and right now. ] You shut your damn mouth!

[ Ah, this isn't going to go well, is it. ]

TRANQUILITY:

[ Despite his hot temper, Gladiolus doesn't quite look out of place simply taking it easy, keeping a steady eye as he turns the page on the book his hands. It's some kind of trashy fantasy novel? He doesn't love being interrupted, but now seems like a good time to mess with him. For once, he isn't going to care. ]

Hmm, she was dead all along, huh. Wow. [ All totally deadpan. He turns another page. ] Didn't see that coming.

SOMETHING ELSE?

[ wildcard for anything else! ]

Confusion - But this mun is so ridiculously happy right now

[kittycaterer]

[ See, this? This is why he chose to stay inside and mind over his father and Luna. What lie ahead back in Eos was bad enough, but given the circumstances here? He's starting to wonder which situation holds the worst crap. Noctis finds himself wading through a mess, keen on getting back to the apartment as soon as possible before this night gets worse. But a voice yanks him backward, a deep and throaty sort of voice that can only belong to--]

Gladio?!

[ He rushes for it. Maybe it's a trick, maybe he's having an elaborate dream. But he thought as much in the face of Regis and Lunafreya and discovered how horribly wrong he was. This isn't the Keep, this isn't Niflheim. And Ardyn's manipulations have no hold here. No, a different sort of psycho runs the place. More than one, even. ]

[ Closing enough distance confirms it. His guard is right there... well. Guards. Noctis had gotten word of doubles delivering havoc to the city but he hadn't quite seen it for himself. He's not sure which one is which, and he isn't sure if the guy airing his personal grievances about failures is the one. He's never heard Gladio berate himself before. Noctis grits his teeth, fists clenched as he prepares himself from a distance. ]

Gladio! Right here!

[ Not likely the best idea, and before he can even attempt to come forward and help, something grabs him by the shoulder. ]

As if you could handle that. He's kicked your sorry ass since you were a kid.

What did you--

[ Noxtis turns to see he's got a similar situation. A double, darkened in his gaze despite a devious grin that takes hold. ]

He'a been right all along, you know. About how unworthy you are. How spoiled and unprepared you've always been? As if you could pry him off himself when you can barely hold your own.

prompto argentum / final fantasy xv

[mercurio]

SCENARIO ONE: FEAR

Why bugs?!

[is the disgusted, hilariously high-pitched whine coming from one blond who is keeping a fine distance between himself and humongous bugs by shooting at them. he's come to the miserable realisation that he's not really doing as much damage as he wishes he were.]

--wha?! They're not the mushy type?

[if there's one thing prompto absolutely dislikes, it has to be bugs. all sizes, all shapes, all colours. this is like a nightmare come true for him. a gross nightmare.]

[in the entirety of his up and down pirouetting about, jumping out of the way or simply ducking by rolling out of the way, he ends up slamming his back way too hard on the ground, causing him to yelp and be left to writhe in pain on the ground.]

[until he catches sight of one nasty, big bug looming over him, ready to strike]

Ah!? It's man down! Man-- [BANG!, the creature retreats as aftershock from the shot] --down!

[BANG!, again, but the bug seems unphased this time, taking a moment to place itself after the second shot (a scratch, on its exoskeleton), and stomping four of its terrifyingly gross legs around prompto, effectively trapping him]

Ughkk!

[he knows awaiting for help is a silly hope at this point, and although he would really love it, he's doing the logical thing and taking a picture of the underside of the bug that is imprisoning him and likely about to force its stingers onto him.]

[click-vrrrr, and prompto's moving out of the way right as the stingers plunge onto the ground he had been occupying, taking another shot at the beast, even if he trips and falls back on his behind, again--shows you you can't shoot a picture and shoot your gun at the same time.]

[he's an idiot, help him.]

SCENARIO TWO: CONFUSION

Tu-tu-tu-ru~♪

[prompto is minding his own business, whistling to a tune, nearly damn skipping through the streets--taking pictures and delighting himself in the sights of a city so different from the one he grew up in.]

[there's is always something new and exciting to explore.]

[little does he know, there's his middle school self walking around behind him, quietly, following his every move.]

SCENARIO THREE: TRANQUILITY (slight game spoilers??)

[the last thing he remembers is being shoved off the train--by noctis. the pain that followed coursed through his body and rippled through his joints and bones and had managed to knock him out unconscious. returning to the imperial city brought him more than just pain--but a torment of memories flooding into his self-awareness.]

[but all that prompto feels now--despite finding himself on the ground, turning onto his back; bruised and cut up, blood drying on his skin--is an unnerving sense of calm. his eyes open and he glances up]

Huh? Where am I...?

[clearly, this and being all bruised up and in pain is no issue for him.]

Where's--my camera?

[priorities]

SCENARIO FOUR: WILDCARD

[prompto is here for anything else you might need him for!]

Fear

[kingslight]

Out of the way!

[In just a matter of seconds, the king's glaive careens into beastly insect with such brutal force that rivals Noctis' strength. Regis' sword slices through the enormous bug's thorax cleanly like a chopped log. The insect flutters lifelessly towards the ground in a severed heap sputtering ever so violently. It's then that the King of Light stabs his blade right through the bugs head with sickening precision. The monster twitches some before eventually dying in a shallow pool of its own mustard hue fluids.

Regis flicks the offending liquid off his glaive with subtle elegance.]

What a disgusting fiend. [The elderly king mutters darkly before turning his gaze towards the troubled youth. A hint of recognition shines within his eyes once he sees the young man's face.]

...I know you. [The king says quietly in muted surprise.] Prompto...? Prompto Argentum?

[Regis blinks his eyes rapidly in obvious confusion.]

My gods, what are you doing here?!

ravine. original.

[whip_poor_will]

I. Fear

Insects. Most people find them revolting, hideous, terrifying.

She, however, finds herself fascinated the second introductions are shared. Of course, such a greeting came in the form of an attempted chomp to her face, in addition to some acid spitting her way.

As soon as she had appeared in this oddly nostalgic looking Colosseum, she is gone. From standing in the middle of the ground level, she now manifests atop a broken pillar, sitting nicely with her legs crossed and fingers folded over one knee. She rocks back and forth as she watches the bugs with interest scurry around, confused, and seeking out their next quarry while attentive for their previous one.

They do not find her, though. What they find is another hapless visitor of this world, stumbling in either after first awakening in this place, having fought their way through the violent population, or fled. Perhaps it's Warrior versus Warrior, or Warrior versus Coward.

Either way, it should prove to be an entertaining show.

III. Tranquility

Tranquility isn't a new thing to her, really. In general she is a pretty calm and calming presence, in no need of divine interference. She is composed when everything else around her is turbulent. But such is not the case at present.

One may not even give a start when they find a freakishly tall woman standing behind them. At a store, restaurant, or bar, or even in the comforts of their own home. For someone who is used to being a ghost to the mortal world for thousands of years, she has no concept of personal space when it comes to getting up in someone's bubble.

But that's okay, isn't it? You don't mind, because everything is just peachy keen right now.

A red-gloved hand falls on your shoulder.

"Having a good day?" comes a voice carrying the lilt of a foreign accent.

This is fine. Don't fear the reaper. It's all right. It's all right.

III

[liveasmyself]

Ray's scanning the shelves in one of the stores for anything resembling a clue in a puzzle. Or food--she could do with that too. She doesn't start when she feels the hand on her shoulder, just looks up into the face above her. "Uh?"

No lantern? But surely she must be one of the specters...

Even with this strange calm, Ray knows that this woman could be dangerous.

But she knows what to do. Ray sucks in air and claps both hands over her face. The creature is already behind her, so that helps.

And so she waits. They always go away eventually.

Misaki Yata | K Project

[homra_hombre]

(ONE) F E A R

[ In the midst of the oncoming alien-bug swarm, there was an ominous glowing red light that could be seen. Maybe it was one of the insects like creatures trying to lure in its prey? Or perhaps a defense mechanism of a fleeing victim? Though, that skateboard being tossed up and over the crowd from time to time sure doesn't seem that normal for this kind of circumstances. I mean really, who's ever heard of a skateboarding bug.

No, both the board and the glowing light both belonged to one Misaki Yata, who was having the time of his life! The tip of his baseball bat was currently glowing from the power of his red aura, making short work of those bugs. ]

Ha! That all you got!? C'mon man! Bring it, I mean I'm gettin' board out here yo!

[ That was Yata, cocky as ever and seemingly oblivious of the giant bug slowly rising from out of the ground, right behind where he posed all agent and cock-sure. ]

(TWO) CONFUSION

What the fuck!!??

[ Yata could hardly believe his eyes! As he casually skated down the street, ollieing over the odd bump and stone that littered his path, he came across something in the close distance that had him truly lost for words... For a change.

Rubbing his eyes and doing a double take before flipping his skateboard up, catching it under an arm and running to close the distance on the abomination he saw before him. ]

Oi! What the hell's your deal, huh! The fuck do ya think you're doin'!?

[ Snapping out in frustration as he saw what seemed to be himself standing there, talking to the residence of the cave. A double? a twin he never knew he had? Or just some wise guy looking for a bust lip!

Yata wasn't upset that there was someone here copying his style or that he'd somehow been cloned. No, what Yata was most offended by was that fact that this cheap imitation was wearing BLUE! Of all the things! What if someone from HOMRA had seen this!? What if they thought he was working for the Blue King!? Nah, nah, nah bro, he couldn't stand for that! ]

Hey man, don't listen to anything this jerk has told you! I'm about to knock that shit-eating grin off their smugh fucking face! Bet that stupid monkey put you up to this didn't he!? The hell do you think you're wearin' anyway!? You try'na piss me off!?

(THREE) TRANQUILITY

[ Yata didn't have much chill at the best of times. Don't get me wrong, he knew how to have fun but even then he still got pretty damn het up about it, but something was differnt. He was actually missing being back at school and even having Saru in his clan, yea, something was fishy about how he felt right now and the frown on his face said it all. he must have looked pretty strange, being so nice and friendly while frowning as if he was mad?

Deciding there was no point in fighting it this time, Yata decided to partake in one of his hobbies! Setting down his headphone and pulling out the jack, letting the walkman speakers sound out loud in not a little muffled. Rolling up his sleves and bounding on the spot for a moment before Yata broke out in a pretty decent break dance.

Once he had his groove on, Yata began to smirk a little, letting his hair down if you will. It was then that he spotted you watching. ]

You just gonna stare or are ya gonna join in?

[ Striking a pose with his arms crossed over his chest. ]

Dance off bro!

[fracturedbeauty]

All this loud noise, what on earth is going on, exactly? Yukari opts to follow the sound of someone being very excitable. Because why not? He's got his sword with him if things get interesting. Or messy. As he climbs the hill, though, what he finds is not quite something he expected.

Two of the mouthy HOMRA brats he'd seen in the battle over the new Red King. Although he didn't get to see him for very long. He was much more focused on dealing with other, more important people than a constantly yelling teenager. But, today is different. He's not having to combat anyone else to achieve his goals, so he might as well humourously engage in this opportunity.

Looking at Yata's Double, he can guess why Yata is barking like a feral dog. As if someone who has his face wasn't bad enough, he's wearing blue. Of course the little Red is going to pitch a fit. His other is wearing Sceptre Four colours.

Okay, this will be fun. Definitely.

"Ah, I see you've found your present." Yukari chuckles airily as he approaches Yata. He hasn't seen Yata since he was a part of Jungle. "What do you think? You look good in Sceptre Four's colours. Oh, my. But what would your King think? Traitor? Fool?"

Of course, he's thinking his King is currently Anna with him. But, he's seen this kid's reaction to insulting his King. Should be a firework in three.... two....

Gilbert Beilschmidt/Prussia (current day) | Hetalia

[occupiesvitalregions]

[Scenario 1]

[Guess who's shown up with nothing but an Xbox controller in his hands and no weapons to speak of? Ol' Gil barely has time to react before one of the big warrior bugs is barreling down on him, and his first reaction is to whip the controller at the monster's face. Not that it really does much more than annoy it further. Gilbert turns and runs full tilt away from it, trying to figure out if maybe he just fell asleep watching HBO again and that this was some sort of crazy dream. It felt juuust a little too real though, considering how close that bug is on his heels. He manages to slip into an empty storefront, but the bug is trying to bash the doors and windows down after him. Maybe some kind person with a way to take down this monster will help this guy out? Because yelling at the bug doesn't seem to be helping.]

C-C'mon, back off! If you eat me, I promise to give you the worst indigestion!

[Scenario 3]
[Cool, calm and complacent are probably the three biggest adjectives that describe the opposite of Prussia. So the fact that he's displaying these qualities now might be a little unnerving.]

Hey, you know... This is fine. All of this? It's not so bad. Let's all just stay here and relax. I'm totally sure things will just get better on their own!

[sunsetsitter]

[Another bug, a little bigger and with a sickly glow about it, comes up from behind Gil to clamber at the other side of the glass, but this one is, uh... Well, it's talking.]

Yo, buzz off, dude! This big meatman is miiiine, or whatever. Blehhh!

[maybe the bug will listen to another bug who knows

also she's incorporeal, so. Feel free to chuck a can through her or something on reflex.]

Asgore Dreemurr | Undertale | i didn't mean for all of these to be depressing it just happened

[journalname]

[2]

[There are two Asgores standing here, facing each other. Only one is armed.

That one holds his trident loosely, apparently not ready to attack just yet. For now he's just watching, fixing the other with a steady stare. If they're being watched, neither of them seems aware of it; they may as well be alone.]

...you know, I do not think there is anything I can do to destroy your life that you have not already done. How pitiful.

No. I do not suppose there is. [He accepts the truth of that. Perhaps this double is meant to be somehow evil, but it is not saying anything he's not said to himself. Never aloud, of course. A King can't do things like that. But there are too many empty rooms in his house, too much silence. He spends most of his time with himself these days.

Now he's somewhere else, without even his duties. Strange as this is, it almost seems fitting to have this conversation.] What will you do, then?

[A small smile plays across the other's lips. He shifts the trident, angling it so that the points almost but not quite scrape the other's breastplate. He twitches, not quite flinching, just looking away.] We both know what you are asking. Say it. Or are you still too afraid to do even that much?

[3]

[Asgore is generally a calm person to begin with, both by nature and because...well, he's learned what even a moment of anger can do. He cannot allow himself to feel that way ever again. So perhaps, were he consciously aware of what had happened, he might even think it for the best.

He doesn't really seem terribly different on the outset; he's just brewing some tea. Normal stuff. But for the first time in a long time, he doesn't feel that hideous mass of guilt in his stomach. He is not disgusted with himself, not living with the ghosts of his regrets.

He doesn't feel much of anything at all, to be honest.]

2 THAT USERNAME I WEEP

[save_theworld]

[Too many people have died.

Frisk should still be on bed rest, that much is true. Within the hour, their back aches more than it should; though it's their sides that are the worst, each bruise pulling and tugging in ways that make their breathing uncomfortable, make working harder. But they're done, just sitting around and doing nothing. They're done with that. The ways they can help are so painfully small, but at least...they can offer some assistance here and there, even if it's as small as taking care of a few less than tidy streets.

And then there's him.

Frisk doesn't need to ask. There's no double take, the words aren't surprising. They've seen him sad; sadder, and sadder still, watched him die and caused him to die, listened to him tell them that they remind him so much of a child with eyes full of hope, right before he-

So it doesn't take much thought for a broom to fall from their hands. The sound of a wooden handle striking the pavement echoes far too loudly, but they're already in position by the time it echoes. Pushing at that trident with no fear, as if the very touch of it isn't enough to cause their fingers to ache.]

Stop.

[You firmly tell Asgore to Stop FIGHTING.]

Ellie | The Last of Us

[survivorsguilt]

one; fear

[The first glimpse she gets of these hideous things allows Ellie just enough time to duck out of sight and hiss-]

What the f-

[She cuts herself off for fear of being heard, as one of the gigantic, butt ugly bugs idles closer. Ellie slowly slides her pistol out of her belt, and takes careful aim. ...But there's no way one shot is gonna take this thing down. Holy shit.

She stays hidden for the moment, eyes darting around for a better option.]

two; confusion

[There's a quiet click as she flicks open her switchblade. Otherwise, it's eerily quiet as Ellie stares down... well, Ellie. Her double seems bored. Impassive. Definitely not at all concerned by the appearance of a weapon.]

Go ahead. Just don't stab me up here, where it really matters. Maybe they'll still be able to cure the dying world with our corpse.

[The double taps it's head. Ellie's lip curls in disgust.]

What the fuck are you?

You, I guess?

[Confusion doesn't do it justice.]

three; tranquility

[A calm has settled over Ellie like a heavy blanket, and it's one she can't seem to shake for anything- but why would she want to, right? It makes a nice change to not be tense or worried about anything for once.

She's kicked back and finishing up one of her favourite Savage Starlight comics, but for once, the abrupt cliffhanger ending spurs no reaction whatsoever. Nada. Zip. Zilch.]

Huh. Guess I'm getting used to having no answers.

one SCREAMS COME TO US

[skelebro]

[Creepy crawlies snaking their way into the Colosseum along with the slew of new arrivals - yep, this sure is a familiar and touching tale. He's got absolutely no time for it either; unlike some of the creatures that've gotten dragged in before, these things are significantly more hostile.

So, uh, heya, Ellie. Hope you don't mind that there's a skeleton who's just kinda popped into the space beside you in between blinks. He peers out from behind her hiding place to stare at the slimy, insectoid mass as it scuttles along. He hums a sound that might've been a dryly impressed whistle, if he had the lips to whistle.]

Yikes. Someone get the bugspray, am I right?

Urahara Kisuke | bleach

[predomination]

scenario one

[this shouldn't be happening, but if "shouldn't" ever existed in a place Urahara Kisuke called home, perhaps his life would be a hell of a lot simpler.

But, honestly, he had hoped for some peace before the next big problem he'd put on his shoulders to solve in whatever way possible. After all, the last remaining dregs of Aizen's schemes had finally been swept under the rug. Ichigo had his powers back, and all was right with the world.

Or at least Karakura and Soul Society.

And yet, here he is in an underground city, having been greeted upon his arrival by the monstrosity that now lies at his sandaled feet bound with a bakudo of average strength and snapping it's mandibles in such a way that Urahara is positive it's backsassing.]

That's a rude welcome, don't you think? [to add insult to injury, he pokes it with his cane, gingerly.] It reacts with more snapping as it tries to wrench the cane out of his hands, but he's too fast.] Don't be mean. I didn't ask to get dropped into your home, you know...

scenario three

[the beauty of this is Urahara is naturally laid back to the point where you'd think nothing was amiss here at all. The problems are all internal, his normally calculated mind slowed to a stop like unwound clockwork.

He doesn't seem to mind, though. It reminds him of the downtime between projects and missions back in the old days. And crazy enough, the thought doesn't send him into a fit of nostalgia he feels compelled to banish immediately to avoid sinking into the perils of the past.

Though speaking of perils, he is presently relaxing on the roof of one of the buildings, eyes trained towards the metaphorical heavens as he studies the craggy rocks overhead as if they were stars.

Some of them have interesting shapes.]

Leonard Snart | DCTV

[frostyfelon]

[ F E A R ]

That is not your average cockroach.

[Don't be fooled. Leonard is not fond of the oversized bug that appears to be more well armoured than a tank. In fact, he really isn't fond of it. Especially when freezing a limb or two doesn't actually stop it. Or phase it, really. Instead, it flailed its large limb at him, swiping him off his feet and winding him.]

Raid may not cut it, this time. I'm loathe to admit, I might need a bit of assistance. Feel free to jump in any time.

[ C O N F U S I O N ]

[He could still remember that conversation. He'd faced down his doppelgänger, both pointing their weapons at eachother, and while Leonard stared hard, expression unwavering, his twin smirked. I saw Lisa today. Did you know she was here? I'd hate for anything to happen to her. Since then, he's been tearing through the entire place looking for his sister. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her! What's worse, a version of himself could honestly claim to do just that? Lisa wouldn't see it coming.

So, when you run into Len, he'll momentarily point the Cold Gun in your face, hold it there for a long beat, as if debating whether he should just shoot you to be on the safe side, before lowering it harmlessly off to the side. This other Len knew just how to unravel the usually calm and collected Captain Cold. And just like that, you almost became a casualty of his loss of composure. Oops?]

Confusion

[ghostborne]

[Bard's world was formed when the Honored King, greatest of the gods, dropped stones into the Dead River and onto the head of his sister, who in her anger thew the stones to earth and then there was life. He's seen strange things. Heard stranger. Sometimes he's certain his sword talks to him.

Thus, his reaction to have a strange object shoved in his face isn't fear or even immediate surprise.

Bard tips his head to the side, careful not to make eye-contact. He doesn't reach for his sword, even though he can feel it humming in the sheath.]

What is that?

Lillie | Pokemon Sun&Moon

[thebagwielder]

(( o n e ))

[ it's quiet here.

Lillie wobbles her way to a nearby wall. There's a lot here, but...it's so quiet that her nerves are almost shot. Anxiety breathes enough life into her limbs to get her to the closest place she can put her weight on. A shaking hand touches her chest, and her eyes shut.

Nebby is gone-- and that leaves a lot of questions to be asked. She spent time searching for him, but to no avail, and though her body is physically worn out, her mind eagerly rushes into worrying for her small, trouble-finding friend.

A deep breath is sucked into her lungs, and Lillie opens her eyes.

A large bug has found a new friend, and her eyes won't tear away from him. Legs too stiff to move. Fingers clutch the fabric of her dress as if trying to will her body into moving. It's enough to remind her voice how to work, and she screams a loud, terrified wail. ]

(( wildcard ))

[ for any and all other lillie needs! ]

(one)

[drubbings]

[ There's nothing like a piercing scream to startled someone out of their own state of self pity. Terezi was wandering around the colosseum, wonder how exactly she ended up here when she heard Lille's cry. Taking full advantage of the fact she wasn't full of stab holes anymore, Terezi vaults over a rock and slides down the side towards the blonde haired human. The creature sauntering around is a bit of a surprise. That sure is a large insect that looks ready for a meal.

She pulls her sword from her sylladex and aims to plunge it in the underside of this thing. ]

I would run if I were you! It looks a little starving.

Bard | Original

[ghostborne]

one

[The last thing Bard remembers is watching Alexio get pulled down from his horse. There had been shouting. Blood sticky on the grass. The horses snapping at each other, biting and furious in ways animals weren't supposed to be.

Widow is hissing in its sheath. He thinks its saying something. Wake up, little boy.

The sword rattles in the sheath, louder and louder until Bard puts his hand over it.]

Stop. Be quiet.

[The hilt burns red against his hand, enough to sting, but stills.

Bard pushes himself up slowly. He's down on his knees, still wearing most of his armor. The helmet is long gone, along with his horse.

And he's not alone. There's something watching him. Making clicking noises.

Kill it! Make it suffer!

Bard swallows. Puts his hand on Widow's hilt. He can feel the power in the blade without drawing it. It's hungry again. Wants to cut. Always wants to cut. The blade rattles in the sheath. He draws it before the monster can get any closer, shifting into a ready stance. Just like Alexio taught him.

He has to do right by his grandfather.]

two

[There's a dead boy under him. Dead and blue in the face, puffed out from being strangled, and Bard just stares down at him - it. He's never seen his own face from a distance. Alexio and the others didn't keep mirrors. But the sword hanging from the dead man's belt--

It's the Widow. Only not the Widow, somehow. It doesn't have power like his does. It isn't real.

Bard shivers. Forces himself to let go of the double's throat. His hands ache.]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[He's crying, shoulders trembling.

Widow rattles in the sheath. It sounds like laughter.]

wildcard

[Hit me!]

2

[romanovs]

He's dead, so he cannot hear you anymore, yes?

[A young man is crouching down next to him, wearing a rather pompous coat, and not watching him closely. What's really unsettling is probably that he is smiling doing all of that, and that his voice sounds rather too cheerful to be appropriate for the situation, too.]

Amos Moses Kamiya | OC

[amos_moses]

1. "Aw he-eeeell no," Amos declared upon being confronted with the giant bug, drawing hell out into about three syallables and rhyming it with hail to fully express his displeasure. His New Orleans accent shone true in that particular sentiment:

He ducked when it clacked giant mandibles at him, and reached into the pocket of his sleeve. Despite the American accent, he was wearing a summer yukata in line with his Aisian features, and wearing the traditional zori with them. The 1911 handgun he pulled out of his sleeve was not as traditional, and he took aim with a professional eye.

He fully expected it when it only made the giant bug mad. "Just my luck," he declared, hiked up his robe, and booked it around the corner fast as he could.

Hey, you :)

[ghostborne]

Bard stared down at his boots and decided he was probably dead. He was dead, they'd lost the fight, and he was stuck in the underworld with a godkiller sword hooked to his belt. The Widow didn't seem especially bothered by that, humming merrily away in its sheath, and Bard likely would have gone on feeling sorry for himself a while long if someone hadn't chosen that moment to round the corner and crash bodily into him.

His reaction was, perhaps, not the best for the situation. But his aunts had taught Bard that the best response to someone coming into your space was to knee them in the groin.

Hard.

Kristen Kringle l Gotham

[misskringle]

(Canon point is during the GCPD shooting in "Knock,Knock" back in season 2.)

(Creepy Crawlies)

So asking for it! [Kristen snapped as she threw what looks to be the remains of a bottle at whatever was creeping up behind her. The hit was direct but the bugs kept coming. So she ducks into what looks like an empty shop to gather more weapons: finding everything from glass to the remains of a shoe (thankfully not her own). So back into the fray she goes, chunking and actually making some decent direct hits for someone with no training before she gets cornered.]

Not good.
-----
(Wild Card)

Pick a place and she'll answer!

Hiccup | HTTYD

[gesturall]

CONFUSION

[ When life brings your rude little surprises the best someone can do is to examine it one thing at a time. And right now Hiccup is choosing to examine the fact that he is looking at himself from behind a building. His double seems blissfully unaware that he is being watched. Maybe under any other circumstances he would have just passed by the other auburn haired man, but this doppelganger was wearing his flight suit, and had his every personal detail down to the missing leg and twin braids in his hair that Astrid had so lovingly woven in for him. This did not bode well.

A growl kicks up in Toothless' chest as he picks up on the smell of the second Hiccup. The last thing Hiccup wants is this someone hurting his dragon, so he pats Toothless on his neck and whispers. ]

Toothless, stay here, buddy.

[ Toothless shoots Hiccup a suspicious glance, and very reluctantly sits. He has a shrewd look on his face that tells Hiccup that his dragon will bound into action if the need arises. This is more comforting than he really wants to admit. Swallowing hard he creeps out from behind the building, eyes fixed on his twin, pulling out his fire blade… and then the gas filling his invention explodes. He sputters and coughs, waving his arms around to disperse the smoke. One of his flailing arms hits someone, hard, along the jaw. He lets out a shout of surprise. ]

Whoa! Oh-oh, hey, I thought you were-- uh, I'm sorry. That's got to hurt. Claustrophobia, you know how it is. Going a little stir crazy in this cave. Wouldn't normal do that, I mean. You're all right, right?

[ He glances back to the spot where he thought he saw himself standing. Gone. ]

WILDCARD

[ Hit me with whatever! ]

[farmore]

[ Ragnar had been in the process of approaching Toothless, his steps slow and cautious, expression furrowed with intense curiosity. Approaching, that is, until the thing next to him erupts with smoke, obscuring his view, and he gets a nice smack on the jaw.

He tenses, annoyed, but that's very short-lived. ] I'm all right, friend. [ He palms a hand against his smarting jaw, gaze fixed back on Toothless. ] What creature is that? [ His accent is thick, and decidedly Nordic. ]

Ragnar | Vikings

[farmore]

( Fear )

[ Ragnar wrenches his axe free from the bug with one powerful jerk, a grin plastered on his face. Even if he's never encountered such monsters in his lifetime -- he imagines, perhaps, this dreadful thing would be something Loki might've dreamt up for the mere entertainment of it -- his heart thrums with the thrill that the rush of battle always brings.

As the creature's spindly legs go limp, the Viking stills and cocks his head to the side, eyes filled with curiosity. He moves to step closer, to kneel and investigate; however, with his attention focused on the fallen monster, Ragnar is late to notice the second bug charging at him. He swivels on his feet and makes an attempt to evade, but the bug still manages to clip him.

He grunts from the contact, the blow knocking him from his feet and the axe from his hand, causing the weapon to clatter a few feet away out of reach. The bug turns and rears, ready to finish its attack.

There probably isn't enough time to grab his axe again -- not unless the bug can somehow be distracted. ]

( Wildcard )

[ For any other prompt! ]

Fear

[liveasmyself]

[Ray, for her part, had frozen out of fearful instinct when she saw the beasts. They weren't human-looking like the lingered, but what else could they be? The lingered were her only frame of reference for monsters.

When she sees someone--definitely human--who could attack one of the creatures, she cautiously makes her way over. ...Only to stop in a full-body wince when she sees him injured.

Is it too late? She can still try to give him a chance, so she calls out what she considers pretty solid advice:]

Hold your breath!

Undyne | Undertale

[astrongspearit]

one ;

[ all is quiet. A peaceful time, for a sweet moment, in Hadriel. Normal. There's nothing particularly big happening.

And then....there is.

Enter stage left, Undyne, a flashing blue spear piercing through a particularly large beast. Bright red hair thrown behind her, untied and wild.. A giant smile showcases her many, many teeth. What a charming woman. ]

IS THAT IT?!

[ a quick hop down from her most recent fight is just the sound of the bottom of her boots colliding with more precision than grace. The bug behind her collapses to reveal about a dozen of the same glowing spears sticking out of it's back. They all dissolve at the same time, and she looks around. Friendly place, sure. ]

THAT!! Was decent. BUT BEING DECENT ISN'T GOING TO SAVE YOU!! STOP HIDING AND FIGHT ME!!!

two ;

[ there are spears... everywhere. Two red haired, blue scaled creatures, staring each other down. One is smiling a brilliant, dark smile. Teeth grow as her mouth spreads further into a grin. ]

You only THOUGHT you could protect her. Save everyone! That's what you're thinkin', isn't it?!

[ the other stands there, nails digging into the light blue spear. Air exits her mouth through teeth like a loud hiss. ]

I CAN STILL DO IT!! AND I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL ME I CAN'T!! NGAAAHH!!

[ the spear is thrown at the doppleganger. Undyne is furious. Who knows how long she's been putting up with the nonsense this idiot has been spewing? Her eye focuses on the other, and she dives forward, bringing her spear up and clashing it against the other defending spear. ]

She'd be better off with that dumb robot. At least they can protect her! What do you have to protect anyone with?! [ a rude, short laugh. ] Your eyepatch??

[ the dumb robot could--?? She cracks a dangerous smile and shakes her head. ]

How about. My. FIST!!! [ a hand dislodges from her spear to land a clean, loud blow against the doppleganger's cheek. The woman flies a couple feet away, dropping the spear and laying still on the ground. Undyne swings her fist a little, airing the knuckles out before taking a very threatening step toward the imposter.

the imposter is unconscious. ]

wildcard ;

[ FOR ALL YOUR FISHTASTIC NEEDS ♥ ]

ONE!!!! HOLY FUCK

[skelebro]

[Here Sans is, just snoozing and lazyboning about, as is his prerogative, when he finds his well-deserved nap interrupted by what can only be described as a spear-themed lightshow. Probably, uh, for the best that Undyne intervened when she did - Sans would've happily slept through the process of becoming bug chow for a fairly sluggish and silent creature.

Too bad he's sure just gotten a rude awakening. He rights himself admirably quickly despite his equally sluggish demeanor, dusting off a shoulder with a bony hand.]

You sure know how to make an entrance, huh?

Steve Rogers | MCU

[neversurrender]

one;

[Steve has faced a wide range of enemies, from Nazis to an alien species named the Chitauri, and he's thought he's seen just about everything there is. Until a giant warrior bug races down the street towards him, mandibles opening wide and ready to go in for the kill.

Pulling his brightly colored shield from its holster on his back, he eyes the angles around him, determining where its best to throw his shield so that it ricochets off the surface and strikes the bug. This is done in a matter of seconds; his shield is sent flying towards a building to his right, where it bounces off the window ledge and connects with the warrior bug's head.

The attack seems to stun it for a moment, but not long enough. And then it's racing towards Steve again.]

This place needs to be equipped with super sized fly swatters.

[He seems oddly confident for someone with a giant, murdering bug heading his way.]

three;

[Despite being able to keep calm in the face of danger, and far better at keeping his chill in extraordinary circumstances, Steve isn't a very tranquil person. There's always another fight to be won, a cause to take up, a message to spread. And, with the circumstances being what they are, no one who knows Steve would expect him to be sitting peacefully in a cafe, sipping on his drink, with a beginner's cook book in hand instead of out trying to discover the secrets of the city or pressing the gods for answers.

And yet, miraculously, that's exactly what he's doing. His expression is peaceful as his eyes idly browse the pages of the cook book. And if you were to approach him, he would wear the same expression as he greets you.]

wildcard;

[Have another idea? Go for it! If you want to plot something out, you can reach me at NearTheHeart.]

three

[outstandingbalance]

Steve?

[Natasha isn't entirely surprised to find him here. She's been here long enough to understand about coming and going. She's heard about former versions of herself. About Steve being here before, but from a point in his timeline before he took the serum. She's seen enough to believe more.

But what's hard to imagine is Steve not doing anything. There's always an energy around him, an intensity that gets people's attention. It's why he inspires him.

This isn't that Captain America.]

What are you doing?

Jamison "Junkrat" Fawkes | Overwatch | sensitive content within

[muroieda]

. one

[These things are pretty fast, huh? Well, you can try outrunning them if that's what it's come to, but eventually you're going to get yanked out of your running path with very little warning and find yourself face to face with a very tall, scrawny, hunched over man with very little but wild blonde hair, what left of it on fire. He seems very happy to see you!]

G'day mate!

[Without any proceeding pomp and circumstance, one beat later there's a soft beep and a deafening explosion triggers from where you came, accompanied with an awful, inhuman death-screech. He seems even happier to hear this than he is to see you, and gives you the finger guns and a wink.]

Bug bomb. Get it? Ehehehehe!

[You are either saved, or have been flung from the frying pan and into the fire. All depends on your perspective, really.]

. two (TW: GORE)

[It starts early in the morning. Those who get up earliest in a certain part of the city are going to get woken up by the sound of a detonation. Nothing is necessarily destroyed, no one hurt (with the exception of a localized outbreak of tinnitus), the only damning evidence left behind are black scorch marks on pavement and walls, and large chunks of shrapnel.

For hours, these intermittent explosions occur all around town, just like the first. It's hard to pin down exactly the cause - unless you happen to be unlucky enough to run across them. Or, perhaps more accurately, have them run across you. Mirror images of wild-eyed maniacs are chasing each other around the city in this awkward, rapidly hobbling game of explosive cat-and-mouse.

The only difference between them? You'll know when one is coming--]

On yer roight!

[...while the other will just bowl you over without warning.

This dangerous chase goes on until the mid-afternoon. After all, it's only a matter of time until they run out of artillery to throw at each other. Things come to a tense standstill on a certain bridge, both their bodies and inventories exhausted.]

S'pose we settle this--like common men,

[one of them taunts through panted breaths, and the other one seems to be in agreement--without pretense, he goes in swinging with his prosthetic hand. But it's heavy and slow, easily dodged, initiating a scuffle that lasts for an awkward few minutes. It's pretty obvious that neither of them are at all adept in close-quarters combat. But with some deft handwork and plenty of distraction, one of them manages to go in for what seems like a strike to the jaw, but actually wedges a decently sized round device in the other's mouth. He backs off, immediately aware of what it is despite having never catching sight of it, trying to dislodge it from his jaw while the other adds a few more feet of distance between them.]

See--y'see, that's my problem.

[The one without the choking problem produces a small handheld device.]

I don't know when to hold back.

[A small flick of his thumb later, and the other one no longer has a head. The immediate ground and his clone are painted in blood, tiny chunks of pink and red litter the ground, and he doesn't even flinch. For the first time, he looks kind of miffed, at worst, and his hand drops to his side.

The corpse collapses itself onto the floor. With a derisive look, the surviving one uses his peg leg to unceremoniously shove the body over the edge of the bridge, if mostly just to get it out of his sight. With his metal arm, he holds onto the railing of the bridge, and it's hard to tell how he feels--other than exhausted. Normally this is when he'd say something witty, but...honestly, it feels nice just not having to run around for a moment.

Until law enforcement shows up, he figures.]

. three

[Tranquility.

It's a foreign concept to Junkrat. It's all been survival and scheming and scavenging since his earliest memories. A mind constantly on the run. He stares into space, trying to liken this sensation to something more familiar. Like when things get quiet, and you finally have the chance to sleep, but haven't quite gotten there. His brain scrambles to find a thought to fixate on, to stay active, stay alert, stay alive.

It eventually gives up the fight, and he doesn't even realize it. Junkrat stands eerily still, balanced precariously with most of his weight on his good leg, unaware of even how much time passes before a simple blink shakes him violently from his trance, sending a shuddering spasm through his body.]

Hnnghh!

[He shakes it off quickly enough, and when he returns to his faculties, he looks around, rebalancing his weight and finding himself able to focus on only a single thought at a time. It's foreign, but nice. Is this what it feels like to be...]

Hmm.

[He turns to the closest person.]

Hey. You have a...marker? Somethin' to draw with.

1

[manspreading]

[ Gladio's not stranger to fighting weird monsters, but watching a guy set himself on fire is a new one. He stares, a bit confused before shit starts exploding. Then Gladio materializes his sword, and turns towards the explosion, squinting his eyes at the blast. Cool guys don't look at explosions but they do sometimes when they're like-- ]

What the hell was that?

[ You've certainly got his attention. ]

Napstablook | Undertale | Both human and ghost options

[soundtest]

[Scenario One - actual ghost version]

[Napstablook doesn't handle being thrown into chaos very well. The moment they find themselves in a place that's not the Underground, they immediately float around frantically looking for their currently missing house.

The giant bugs startle Napstablook as it appears around the corner, but even before they have a chance to apologize, one of them takes a swipe at them. It doesn't hurt them, their sharp needle-like leg passing right through them. But the creature doesn't stop, and Napstablook isn't sure what to do...

Maybe play dead? After the bug tries and fails to bite through them, Napstablook flops over on the ground.]

ohh... you beat me... i'm dead now
s-s p-please stop attacking me??

[Is this working are you satisfied please go away.]

[Scenario Three - the human option!]



[On days like these (aka everyday since they've arrived here), Napstablook would usually be feeling uncomfortable in their own, new skin. For a former ghost, it was a challenge just getting around the city sometimes. Fatigue, pain, just walking on two feet were all new experiences that Napstablook could do without.

But today, they didn't mind so much. Even if they did trip and land on their face a few minutes ago.

They're currently just, sitting out in the open somewhere with a peaceful look on their face. And a bloodied nose that they don't seem to notice. But they will notice someone approaching them.

They're still crying but just ignore it, that's completely normal.]

oh... sorry, i didn't know you wanted to sit here... don't worry i'll move

one!

[skelebro]

[He don't spend a lotta time in Waterfall. No more or less than he would in any other place besides Snowdin, that is. Sure, he's got his sentry station there and he spends his time watching sparkling stones set in the ceiling and pretending they're stars, but he's got a passin' knowledge of most of the monsters that live in the Underground, he likes to think. He's Sans, he's the guy everybody knows, some way or another.

Sad to say he can't recall the little ghost's name when he stumbles upon 'em. He just knows they live 'round the same area as Shyren, and that's as far as that train of thought goes, 'cause that very definitely is a big ol' bug-thing tryin' to chow down on something insubstantial.]

Woah, hey.

[Bad idea. The thing takes one look at him and decides, heck, he might just be bones and bones and more bones, but at least he's corporeal. It lurches for the very tangible skeleton instead.]

Simon Jarrett | Soma

[wastedhope]

fear;

This isn't the ARK. It can't be. He's seen the renders of what the inside of the ARK is meant to be and it's a paradise, not another hellscape. The world as it once was, lush and green and alive with intact buildings and regular people. This... all he sees now is his ruined body in another ruined world, a place that's clearly been destroyed but not from the fire that he knows claimed the surface. And this isn't the surface. It's a cave, a giant cavern reaching so far above that he can hardly see the ceiling.

Simon wanders through the wrecked city until he hears a scuffling sound. Something between a scratch and a shuffle, not too different from the drag of his own boots along the ground of the cave. "Hello?" he calls out, wary but hopeful. Realistic but hopeful. At best it's probably another robot... What are the odds of him encountering a human? But the sounds respond to his voice, several quick scratchshuffles in quick succession, moving closer. Summoning every bit of courage he has left, Simon peers around the corner to see who's there.

It's not a person, robotic or humanoid. It's not one of WAU's creations, either, but he can't say he's comforted by that fact. It's a giant bug, one whose eyes fixate on him the second he peers out at it. He's seen some strange things down at the bottom of the ocean but there's a cold visceral disgust that comes from insects, magnified by his fear of something as big as himself chasing him down. He doesn't know what it could actually do to him, but anything with pincers that big has got to be dangerous. He's already missing one hand, he'd like to keep the rest of his body, such as it is, intact.

"Fuuuuck fuck what the fuck--" He runs, looking for an alley to turn down or even just a dark corner to duck into and hide.

[unpainful]

Unless he'd fallen through the streets (again), there was no way this was Tokyo. Even if he had, the cave was too large, too eerie, too quiet to be beneath the city. And buildings? Who was living down here? People? Demons? Had they rebuilt on top of rooms they didn't even know about? Everything about it was wrong. It just felt wrong. Or maybe that was just because Yurine wasn't here. Did she stay with his original body? Was he still safe?

He sighed. Nothing he could do about that from here except try not to lose this one. That meant finding a way to survive. If he even could. It was the silence that was the most chilling--no city noises, no bustle that made the place seem alive. This one--whatever it was--was plain dead.

He wandered the streets with his long sword over one shoulder for a while before he heard noises (so much for the quiet) and they didn't sound good. Someone was in trouble. He didn't even stop to think about it, running toward the voices he'd heard. He didn't even blink seeing a giant bug chasing a... something (his first thought was a demon but he wasn't so sure about that), before he stepped to one side to let him pass, then positioning himself in between the two, blocking the insect from him and unsheathing the sword. The bug looked nasty, but what did he care? He wouldn't feel anything if it bit him.

"Stay behind me."

Anne of Austria | Musketeers (BBC)

[souveraine]

Fear.

[She heard a scratching sound behind her, growing closer with every step she took. She glanced behind her but she couldn't see anything but something was coming up behind her in the shadows.

Anne was alone and she knew she was vulnerable. The clothes she wore were more suited to the French court than the dark place she found herself and she shivered but her determination didn't waver. There was little around her but she picked up the largest branch she could find from the ground. It was better than nothing and hopefully, it would buy her enough to get away from whomever- or whatever- was following her.

She couldn't run forever. She came to a stop, turning around to face her stalker. She had to remain calm and try to think about her options. There was no one to protect her this time.

Her eyes widened as the giant insect emerged from the shadows, fear making her freeze. Terror rooted her to the spot as the creature approached but she remembered the thick branch in her arms, holding it up. Her arms shook with the effort but she swung it forward with all her strength, hoping that she could at least stun the bug.]

[mismanagement]

[If she's being honest, Maketh would rather be locked up in her room with a bottle of something strong and smooth to the taste. Something she could finish and then used to reach a dreamless sort of sleep. Or unconsciousness. She'd stopped being picky years ago. But one did not abandon their duty because of a few measly nightmares.

There was work to be done. Newcomers had been dragged in again. The one she's watching from her perch has been cornered and appears to be unarmed, wearing the sort of clothes Maketh vaguely thinks wouldn't be out of place in the senate halls of the Old Republic; pretty and no doubt expensive, but utterly useless as armor.

Unless the protection is disguised as something harmless and pretty. But that seems too great a risk to take.

She doesn't rise from her perch or shout to the woman, only takes aim with Lilith's rife and sights her target down.

It takes three shots to put it down. Overkill at this range. But one must be certain in this place.

Maketh jumps down from her perch, shouldering the rifle.]

Are you injured?

Mettaton | Undertale (Thisavrou CRAU)

[mttbrandlegs]

Scenario 1 - Ma, They Followin' Me!!

[Honestly? This is not the strangest thing Mettaton's ever dealt with. In fact, it's pretty much exactly what he expected. After all, the relative calm of Thisavrou couldn't be expected to last, and staying on Kauto wouldn't be permitted...right?

The door he'd come through? He expected it was just some cleverly constructed Ingress he'd stumbled upon, nothing more, and nothing less. But he wasn't really given much time to backtrack before he was confronted by some rather large insectoids. Spiders?

Oooh, how terrifying.

Except that Mettaton's not scared, and he's far past the point of avoiding getting his hands dirty.

It's a pain that he doesn't have time to tuck the tattered red scarf that once belonged to someone important into his PacDisc. But it doesn't matter--he won't let it get damaged.

Here, one would expect a flashy pose and a loud proclamation of pending victory!! That's the MTT-Brand way, right?!

Instead...Mettaton steps back into a halfhearted stance, frowning up at the creature.]

Let us make this quick, shall we?

[The bug seems to agree, because it darts forward, using its front legs to try and pin Mettaton down. He anticipates the move, of course, and sidesteps with inches to spare--he's not known for his speed, after all.

He is known for having lovely boots though. Time to squish a bug!]


Scenario 2 - Not a Pretty Picture...

[He's been hearing it all day. Mettaton's fairly certain that he's gone mad, and maybe that is the case. Maybe he's finally lost it after all that's happened. It was inevitable, really.

He wasn't perfect. He had been a terrible cousin, a terrible friend, a terrible significant other--anything he could ever have ruined for anyone, he'd done it to benefit himself. And that's what the voice in his head was telling him. Whispering dark words...

He's not aware that his shadow is not just a shadow. As he walks, trying his hardest to ignore the dark words ("you're awful, it's no wonder everyone left you", "you will never have friends here like you did before, friends are for good people, sweetheart!" "Can you feel the weight of it on your neck? Don't forget to breathe."), he grows more and more agitated, the expression on his face slowly beginning to twist into one of anguish and anger, all mixed into one.]

What do I do?

["Submit, of course!! Isn't it hard? Oh, honey...honey, let me fix it for you!"]

Mettaton nods blankly, and from the shadows to his right emerges a perfect double, down to the damaged chassis and the familiar scarf. He doesn't really notice...or is he just pretending he doesn't? Either way, he won't be fast enough to move from those arms extending out, ready to snake around his neck and abdomen. Ready to crush him and break him.

[soundtest]

[It isn't everyday that you meet your idol out wandering the streets, in a place that was not the Underground. But nothing has really made any sense to Napstablook since they've arrived, and that was definitely Mettaton - much taller than Napstablook remembers seeing. And in their big debut form no less.

... Except there's two of them?

Napstablook takes a few, clumsy steps forward. Part of them curious as to what's going on, and the other part of them wanting to run in the opposite direction. Meeting one Mettaton was nerve-wracking... meeting two of them though?

Right as the double's arms reach out to snare Mettaton, a lanky, white-haired human that looks like they haven't slept in days calls out nervously.]

m-mettaton...?